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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/feb/02/stakeknife-freddie-scappaticci-ira-double-agent-released-bail
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| Man believed to have been IRA double agent 'Stakeknife' released on bail | Man believed to have been IRA double agent 'Stakeknife' released on bail |
| (13 days later) | |
| The man believed to have been one of Britain’s most important agents inside the IRA, “Stakeknife”, has been released on bail after being questioned by detectives investigating 18 murders during the Northern Ireland Troubles. | The man believed to have been one of Britain’s most important agents inside the IRA, “Stakeknife”, has been released on bail after being questioned by detectives investigating 18 murders during the Northern Ireland Troubles. |
| Freddie Scappaticci is understood to have been arrested earlier this week by police officers from Operation Kenova - the multimillion-pound inquiry into the activities of the former double agent. | Freddie Scappaticci is understood to have been arrested earlier this week by police officers from Operation Kenova - the multimillion-pound inquiry into the activities of the former double agent. |
| A spokesperson for the independent police inquiry team confirmed that a 72-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder and abduction charges had been released on bail. | A spokesperson for the independent police inquiry team confirmed that a 72-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder and abduction charges had been released on bail. |
| Scappaticci was believed to have been detained on Tuesday in connection with a series of crimes including murder, kidnap and torture dating back to the 1970s. | Scappaticci was believed to have been detained on Tuesday in connection with a series of crimes including murder, kidnap and torture dating back to the 1970s. |
| Operation Kenova is headed by the chief constable of Bedfordshire, John Boutcher. | Operation Kenova is headed by the chief constable of Bedfordshire, John Boutcher. |
| Commenting after the man’s release from custody, Boutcher said: “This arrest was a significant step in what continues to be an incredibly wide-ranging investigation. My team is continuing to speak with witnesses and victims’ families and we are exploring a huge number of lines of inquiry. | Commenting after the man’s release from custody, Boutcher said: “This arrest was a significant step in what continues to be an incredibly wide-ranging investigation. My team is continuing to speak with witnesses and victims’ families and we are exploring a huge number of lines of inquiry. |
| “I cannot stress enough how important it has been for people to come forward to speak to the investigation team. It is very clear to me that there are many who see now as the right time to speak and help us get to the truth for the victims’s families. They deserve to know what happened to their loved ones.” | “I cannot stress enough how important it has been for people to come forward to speak to the investigation team. It is very clear to me that there are many who see now as the right time to speak and help us get to the truth for the victims’s families. They deserve to know what happened to their loved ones.” |
| The relatives of IRA victims were informed about Scappaticci’s release on Friday, including those of the murdered Ulster loyalist killer and gunrunner John Bingham. | The relatives of IRA victims were informed about Scappaticci’s release on Friday, including those of the murdered Ulster loyalist killer and gunrunner John Bingham. |
| His 1986 murder is central to the investigation into the activities of the agent known as “Stakeknife”; evidence from the killing has emerged in the course of inquiries into the British super spy’s career inside the IRA. | His 1986 murder is central to the investigation into the activities of the agent known as “Stakeknife”; evidence from the killing has emerged in the course of inquiries into the British super spy’s career inside the IRA. |
| Scappaticci denies he was involved in any murder, kidnap or torture, and has consistently denied being “Stakeknife” since accusations emerged in 2003. He later fled Belfast and has been living at a secret location. | Scappaticci denies he was involved in any murder, kidnap or torture, and has consistently denied being “Stakeknife” since accusations emerged in 2003. He later fled Belfast and has been living at a secret location. |
| In May 2016 the British government established Operation Kenova. Some 50 detectives were recruited to investigate allegations that “Stakeknife” was the head of an IRA internal security unit responsible for up to 50 murders during the Troubles. | In May 2016 the British government established Operation Kenova. Some 50 detectives were recruited to investigate allegations that “Stakeknife” was the head of an IRA internal security unit responsible for up to 50 murders during the Troubles. |
| Northern Ireland | Northern Ireland |
| Ireland | Ireland |
| IRA | IRA |
| UK security and counter-terrorism | UK security and counter-terrorism |
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